The rate for March in New York closed at 23.86 US cents higher from Friday through Monday. The last fast-rising prices have affected the domestic market. Demand and willingness to buy raw cotton for nearby delivery from the current crop was existing, but limited by the declining availability of higher qualities. Contracts were only closed when the offered prices could be covered by manufacturers. Moving up quotations for new crop and uncertainty about price trends in the Middle Staple range led many potential buyers to wait.
The interest in new crop was mainly limited to the long staple market. In the Upland range business was registered as follows: Central Asian cotton for dates in the 2nd quarter, West African types for 3rd quarter and already for the 2nd quarter 2012; Greek and Spanish cotton for 4th quarter 2011.
Long and Extra Long staple cotton was traded as follows: Israel Acalpi for 4th quarter 2011 as well as for 1st and 2nd quarter 2012; US-Pima for 3rd quarter 2011 and 2nd quarter 2012; Israel Pima for the 4th quarter 2011 and the 2nd quarter 2012.